Canada bounces back with bronze

Canada's midfielder Diana Matheson (L) shoots past France's Eugenie Le Sommer (9) during the women's football match for bronze of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the City of Coventry stadium on August 9, 2012 in Coventry.AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINAAFP

Canada's midfielder Diana Matheson (L) celebrates with Canada's midfielder Brittany Timko after scoring the winning goal during the women's football match for bronze of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the City of Coventry stadium on August 9, 2012 in Coventry. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISAFP

Canada's defender Carmelina Moscato (L) celebrates past France's Eugenie Le Sommer (9) and France's Louisa Necib (14) at the end of the women's football match for bronze of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the City of Coventry stadium on August 9, 2012 in Coventry. Canada defeated France 1-0. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISAFP

Canadian players (R) celebrate at the end of the women's football match for bronze of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the City of Coventry stadium on August 9, 2012 in Coventry. Canada defeated France 1-0. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISAFP

Canadian players celebrate at the end of the women's football match for bronze of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the City of Coventry stadium on August 9, 2012 in Coventry. Canada defeated France 1-0. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISAFP

Canada's Diana Matheson reacts after scoring on France to win the women's bronze medal soccer match in Coventry at City of Coventry Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 9, 2012. REUTERS/Paul Hackett REUTERS

Canada's Diana Matheson (L) and teammate Brittany Timko (R) celebrate after Matheson scored on France to win the women's bronze medal soccer match in Coventry at City of Coventry Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 9, 2012. REUTERS/Paul Hackett REUTERS

France's Laura George (4) walks off the pitch as Canada celebrates winning the women's bronze medal soccer match in Coventry at City of Coventry Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 9, 2012. REUTERS/Paul HackettREUTERS

The Canadian Women’s soccer team during the medal ceremony at Wembley Arena in London. The Canadian women defeated France to win the women's bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Thursday August 9, 2012. AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY

The Canadian Women’s soccer team during the medal ceremony at Wembley Arena in London. The Canadian women defeated France to win the women's bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Thursday August 9, 2012. AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY

The Canadian Women’s soccer team during the medal ceremony at Wembley Arena in London. The Canadian women defeated France to win the women's bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Thursday August 9, 2012. AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY

The Canadian Women’s soccer team during the medal ceremony at Wembley Arena in London. The Canadian women defeated France to win the women's bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Thursday August 9, 2012. AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY

The Canadian Women�s soccer team during the medal ceremony at Wembley Arena in London. The Canadian women defeated France to win the women's bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Thursday August 9, 2012. AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY AL CHAREST/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY

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Team Canada takes bronze after a 1-0 win over France in women's soccer

But, in what many Canadians will think of as sweet justice, Canada won the bronze when Diana Matheson scored in the 92nd minute to give Canada a 1-0 win and its first team medal at the Olympics since 1936.

Matheson jumped on a ball in the French penalty area after a shot by Sophie Schmidt changed direction before Matheson put it past French goalkeeper Sarah Boudhaddi, shooting her right arm into the air and then grabbing the front of her jersey in celebration as her teammates piled on.

After the final whistle went seconds later, the Canadians grabbed a huge Canadian flag and carried it around the pitch at the City of Coventry Stadium.

"They were the better team for long periods but you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net and we wouldn’t let them do that," said Canada head coach John Herdman.

Until that final few seconds, the game lacked the emotion and the excitement of the semifinal with both teams content to sit back.

France’s Elodie Thomis had a chance after a flick-in on the right side in the 26th minute, but Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod stood tall and stopped the rising shot.

Canada had a bit of a scary moment in the 40th minute when McLeod collided with towering French defender Wendie Renard on a French corner. They both went up for the ball and Renard slammed into McLeod’s midsection. She hit the ground hard and looked like she was winded, but after a minute or so, she got up and continued.

France concluded the first half with what might have been their best opportunity. Thomis had a shot from the top of the penalty area, but, like Sinclair before her, sailed her shot over the crossbar.

The French came out strong to start the second half and had a couple of opportunities in the first couple of minutes. The best was when a shot by Lousia Necib, their talented striker who has had an indifferent Olympics, saw her shot deflect off a Canadian defender and head for the low corner to McLeod’s left, but the Canadian ’keeper sprawled to get her left hand on it.

France had another great chance when Gaetane Thiney hit a right footer to McLeod’s right that went off the post. A minute later, Thomis took a flick-on and sprinted between two Canadian defenders, but she booted a bouncing ball off the crossbar.

As France pressed the issue, Thiney had a chance from the edge of the goal box and lifted her volley over the top corner.

In the 70th minute, off a French corner, Corine Franco beat McLeod with a low shot, but Canada’s Desiree “The Destroyer” Scott was there to boot it away from off the line.

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